Maureen K. Murphy of Montauk, a professor and former chairwoman and executive director of the East Hampton Housing Authority, died at home on March 30 after a long illness. She was 84.
For 27 years, she was a professor at Brooklyn College’s School of Education, retiring in 1998. She led the housing authority from 1998 to 2000 and then served as its executive director until 2012.
She was born in Brooklyn on Oct. 14, 1937, to Maurice Cartwright and the former Claire Darcy. Her father died before her birth; Arthur W. Dolan Sr. became her stepfather. She grew up in Brooklyn and Elwood, N.J.
Dr. Murphy earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Fordham University in the Bronx, and, in 1971, a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University in Manhattan.
She and Michael Murphy met at Brooklyn Technical High School while she briefly worked there before moving to college-level education. They were married on Dec. 27, 1972. The couple had been visiting Montauk since the 1960s, and became year-round residents in 1978. Mr. Murphy died in 1991.
Dr. Murphy was a parishioner and lector at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk and a past president of the Montauk Village Association. Education, her family, reading, and animals were lifelong interests, said her niece, Kelly Grady.
In addition to her niece, Dr. Murphy is survived by a daughter, Maureen Claire Murphy of Alexandria, Va., and a brother, Arthur W. Dolan Jr. of Brooklyn. Three other nieces, two nephews, and 10 great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.
A wake was held at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on April 3. A funeral Mass was said on April 4 at St. Therese, followed by burial at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk.
Her family has suggested memorial contributions to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 2616, East Hampton 11937, or arfhamptons.org.
